FORMER Arsenal star Gabriel Paulista was reduced to tears when asked about current side Valencia’s ‘f***ed up’ decline this season.
The tough tackling Brazilian left the Emirates in 2017, and went on to win the Copa del Rey with his new team two years later.
Gabriel struggled to fight back the tears
The Brazilian was asked about Valencia’s decline this season
But the Spanish side have fallen on tough times this season, amid financial troubles leading to a number of top stars being sold.
Yesterday’s 3-0 loss at Getafe saw Javi Gracia’s men slip to 14th in the LaLiga table – just five points above the relegation zone.
Gabriel, 30, fronted up after the game, but was left in tears after being asked about the proud club’s sharp fall into a relegation battle this season.
After initially trying to keep a straight face, he could eventually hold back the sobs no longer, showing his passion and disappointment at the team’s predicament as his face crumpled.
He said: “It’s a bummer hearing that.
“A club as big as Valencia and hearing that is a bummer.
“But we have to get out of this because we’re Valencia and the club deserves more.”
After concluding the interview, Gabriel stood pitchside with his head buried in his shirt.
Gabriel had just played in Valencia’s 3-0 defeat to GetafeCredit: Rex Features
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Valencia played Champions League football as recently as last season.
But with owner Peter Lim withdrawing his funding, the 2004 LaLiga winners were forced to cut costs by selling key players.
Star midfielder Dani Parejo and Arsenal old boy Francis Coquelin left for rivals Villarreal.
While young starlet Ferran Torres was sold to Manchester City.
Rodrigo, who scored the winner in the 2019 Copa del Rey win, departed for Leeds – while Geoffrey Kondogbia headed to Atletico Madrid to replace Thomas Partey.
Amid these sales, Gracia was handed no transfer budget to improve his squad, instead having to cobble together loan deals to patch up the considerable holes left behind.
Man City star Ferran Torres was among those sold by Valencia last seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
